Scrutinizing of the candidature files was made, in the initial stages, by the European Tourism Academy team, who drafted a preliminary report disseminated among the ECTT members.

Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director of European Tourism Academy,presented the list of candidates and the list of reports and accompanying evaluations for each of the 30 countries registered candidatures.

Academician Mircea Constantinescu stressed the need for a strict observance of Chatham House roles of discretion, and also presented the report asking for a candidate country to be disbarred, for not being able to comply with the rules and regulation of World Institution-ECTT.

The motion was adopted and the analysis of remaining 29 countries in competition for WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION continued.

ECTT Trade Chairman- Mr. Mihai Prundianu made a thorough analysis of Ethiopia`s evolution as WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION 2015: 2 billion dollars in supplementary revenues. Not a bad deal for the people of Ethiopia !

ECTT Trade Responsible Chairman –Mihai Prundianu stated for the audience the remarkable achievements of the 2015 award winner-The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia who capped 1 million tourists supplementary and derived tourism income in the margin of 2 billion dollars. Addis Ababa became the most rapidly growing city in Africa in the number of tourists.

Ethiopia enjoyed also a large presence in the media with over 120.000 tourism related articles promoting the country as the FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION.

ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea marked also the world tourism institution determination to continue a special relation with Ethiopia that we come to know and love and who entered in our hearts forever, concluded Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

With the acceptance of the report by Chairman Mihai Prundianu on ETHIOPIA, the debate on the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2015 was declared opened according to the decision of ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

ECTT President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea on the rostrum of WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION AWARD FOR 2016.

The report was titled: CAMBODIA: THE LAND OF MAGIC- THE PLACE WHERE GOD`S AND KINGS BUILD THE WORLD!

He proposed the Kingdom of CAMBODIA as the winner of WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 and as receiver of the FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION distinction for 2016.

The report noted the reasons for awarding WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 PRIZE to CAMBODIA:

Angkor Thom a temple of world significance and registered as UNESCO World heritage monument.

The rich cultural and historical legacy of Cambodia is not limited to the previous presented list.

In order to fully grasp the natural potential of Cambodia natural parks and natural reservations we must look at the potential of these regions designated in 1993 Royal Decree on the Protection of Natural Areas.

They are encompassing 23 protected areas, which at the time covered more than 18% of the country’s total land area. The royal decree divides the areas into four distinct categories: natural parks (sometimes described as ‘national parks, wildlife preserves, protected scenic view areas (sometimes described as ‘protected landscape`s and multi-purpose areas.​

Cambodia is also home to rarely and valuable Ramsar sites rated accordingly to RAMSAR CONVENTION of June 1999:

A stretch along the Mekong River approximately 37 km long and 14,600 hectares in Stung Treng Province.

Boeng Chhmar and associated river system and floodplain, 28,000 hectares in Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provinces (part of a designated multiple use area).

Giving tourists access to outstanding and pristine nature and the opportunity to explore nature, to contribute to ecological preservation, and the opportunity to visit extraordinary places.

All these regions and national parks are a model of achieving ecological and green tourism that must be recognized throughout the world.

New prominent landmarks are to be added to UNESCO list such as: Angkor Borei and Phnom Da, the former celebrated as the ancient capital of Kingdom of Cambodia under the name of Vyadhapura and pace at the confluence of Mekong and Stun Sla Ku.

This is now home to perfect archaeological treasures like sculptures and stones star-shaped called stela.

Phnom Da is famous for his caves, the mud tower and the all sought Ashram Maha Rosei, made in long standing stone and celebrated as a model of architectural ingenuity made out of interior monk housing units blending in the exterior wall.

Udong is the former capital of Royal Cambodia in 17th century from 1740 to 1746.

Udong is now a perfect example of a sprawling royal city, but also a royal necropolis gathering the funerary temples of kings that offered to Cambodia a chance of survival in the country darkest times.

Udong is the proof of the resilience and endurance of Khmer spirit in time of peril and dangers.

The way in which social-tourism has become the base for local economic development, for empowerment of remote community and supporting educational and vocational projects benefiting the communities, makes social-fair tourism, the lesson that today-the KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA is offering to the world.

The Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations had brought Cambodia on the list of WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATIONS

The ongoing development and protection of cultural, religious and historical shrines of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the transformation of Angkor Region into a historical and spiritual center, offering to the visitors a glimpse into rich culture and heritage of peoples of Cambodia.

Angkor must be the world center of religious pilgrimage and cultural tourism offering to world tourists the complex healing experience of cultural legacy, religious special atmosphere and faith imbued air.

The preservation of outstanding historical and cultural heritage in the form of the former capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Angkor cultural complex, an ample palatial complex from the 9th Century, offering an incredible sense of magnificence of one of the Asia greatest empire.

Today, Cambodia offers tourists bound for the country a rich and perfect open air collection with a rare presence of historical and archaeological treasures that educate and enrich the world.

The KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA is also a perfect center for river trips and adventure tourism, offering large areas suitable for this special kind of tourism, and the necessary infrastructure to welcome the adventure seeker, its safety and peace, makes the country, one of the world’s top adventure river destinations that make the KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA as a perfect cultural class destination.

Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Director for Hotel Management and Evaluation at European Council on Tourism and Trade, outlined the impressive potential for development that Kingdom of Cambodia is presenting.

Cambodia, now proclaimed WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION, must transform this perfect opportunity and universal limelight in a base for attracting investors in the field of hotels and hospitality to cater for the millions that will find their ways to the KINGDOM OF WONDERS and LAND OF MAGIC!

This is an incredible occasion for all ASEAN regions, an opportunity to place regions cultural and historical patrimony at the fore and to make Cambodia the center for medium and long-term trips that will bring travelers to the magic of Indochina.

With open sky`s policies enacted by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, the country has become the center of ASEAN future development, concluded his speech World Tourism Institution Director Pavel Avramoiu.

It is appropriate for Europe to express its commitment to, and appreciation for, Asia by crowning CAMBODIA as THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION AND WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION FOR 2016 stated the ECTT Director Ioan Matei.

Senator Ionel Agrigoroaiei, Director of European Parliamentary Committee in the European Council on Tourism and Trade and Senator of Romanian Parliament stated the opinion of all present at ECTT conference and declared that the KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA is the unique candidate that is offering a perfect blend of cultural record, large historical patrimony and is offering a magisterial lesson to the world: the lesson of creativity and resilience of SROK KHMER-the land of Khmers.

With an outstanding record of promoting social-fair tourism, ecological and poverty reduction strategy based on tourism Cambodia deserves a unanimous vote, appreciated the Senator I. Agrigoroaei.

Taking the floor, President Dr. Anton Caragea asked for a final vote and European Council on Tourism and Trade Assembly unanimously, agreed to bestow the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION STATUS FOR 2016 TO KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA and to declare CAMBODIA- THE FAVORITE CULTURAL DESTINATION in 2016.

The world gathering (including ECTT members and accredited ambassadors and diplomats)was presented with a warm salute and invitation from acting Minister of Tourism Mr. Chea Bora, for a mission of high ranking officials of the European Council on Tourism and Trade, to present the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION AWARD in Phnom Penh, in person, to His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia, European Academician and outstanding personality in world tourism, today.

Let`s all discover CAMBODIA: THE LAND OF MAGIC AND KINGDOM OF WONDERS !

The final note of ECTT 2016 Assembly was stroke by Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade who emphasize the importance of the moment: the most important WORLD TOURISM PRIZE was entrusted to peoples of CAMBODIA.

CAMBODIA has arisen from ashes of nefarious time and is today a perfect destination crowned in the diamonds of Mekong, endowed with the beauties of Siem Reap and Battambang and made immortal by the works of Gods and Kings at Angkor.

Leading by example, is always the motto of European Council and Tourism and Trade and the acceptance of the invitation for a familiarization visit of high-ranking members of European Council on Tourism and Trade to CAMBODIA is a proof of this enduring truth. CAMBODIA is a perfectly safe and outstanding destination that will forever mark your heart!

Today all world tourism experts expressed their confidence in the potential and future of tourism in CAMBODIA, let`s follow their example and discover THE WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION in 2016- concluded Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.

Author

The most important WORLD TOURISM PRIZE was entrusted to the peoples of CAMBODIA.

All world tourism experts expressed their confidence in the potential and future of tourism in CAMBODIA, let`s follow their example and discover THE WORLD BEST TOURISM DESTINATION in 2016- concluded Professor Anton Caragea, President of the European Council on Tourism and Trade.